To see who has posted this week's ABC Wednesday Post,visit Mrs. Nesbitt by clicking the logo below. Read and enjoy her post.Then look for this same logo on her site to see who else has joined the meme today!

Yes, I realize today is Arbor Day. It's a day I have celebrated each year in a variety of ways.

Many years ago, the Arbor Day Foundation sent (absolutely free of charge) second grade teachers a complete curriculum guide and supplies for preparing for and learning about Arbor Day. One could pick and choose activities that could take up to two weeks or so in learning about trees (I placed it in plant study). One activity of major interest was scarifying seeds, germinating them, and planting them. After 3 - 4 weeks on the classroom windowsill, they were ready to take home as mini-seedless, thornless honey locust trees. The children were so proud!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

But for now, take another walk around my yard. You'll see things I've not shown before.My gardens are becoming full to overflowing! :-)

wild ginger Asarum canadensis --- the plants

and the blossoms

A Spring Song

Old Mother Earth woke up from her sleep,And found she was cold and bare;The winter was over, the spring was near,And she had not a dress to wear."Alas," she sighed, with great dismay,"Oh, where shall I get my clothes?"There's not a place to buy a suit,And a dressmaker no one knows."

"I'll make you a dress," said the springing grass,Just looking above the ground,

"A dress of green of the loveliest sheen,To cover you all around."

"And we," said the dandelions gay,"Will dot it with yellow bright."

"I'll make a fringe," said forget-me-not,"Of blue, very soft and light."

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My last post, dated March 3, 2010, described this project. I included photos of the project seeds, as well as the free cosmos seeds (a bonus!). :-) You might want to click the link to find the post.

We are in SE Iowa - traditionally zone 4, but now considered to be zone 5a. I continue to be leery about planting anything tender prior to May 1, but I will probably be planting the remaining Nasturtium 'Spitfire' seeds, as well as the Double Cosmos 'Rose Bon Bon' seeds by the end of April.

For now, check out the seeds that I began recently indoors. I created my own pots from rolled and folded newspaper. What do you think? Looks promising to me!! :-)

today... 4 out of 8

I almost forgot to mention that these eight seeds were germinated between wet pieces of paper towel, placed in a ziplocked plastic bag and in a dark kitchen cupboard for two days and nights before being planted in the little pot-lets you see here. ;-)

ABC Wednesday: Click on the logo above to visit Mrs. Nesbitt's site.You'll enjoy the post-of-the-week there. Then look for the same logo on her site to see who else is participating! :-)

Muscari are hardy little bulbs, growing and naturalizing generally in zones 3 - 9. They should be planted around 3" deep in rockgardens, beds, borders, under shrubs, and trees, and can be used for indoor forcing. There are a number of varieties available for purchase (and/or trade!). Just provide a little sunlight and drainage.

Muscari are also very sweet in the slow-growing grassy areas of your yard. This gives the blossoms time to fade before you have to mow the lawn.